§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in view of the higher prices for house property prevailing in Northern Ireland, what steps he plans to take to bring the house allowance to members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to a similar level to that paid to the police in England.
§ Mr. Pendry,pursuant to his reply of 15th January 1979 [Official Report, Vol. 960, c. 641], gave the following information:
In accordance with an agreement of the Police Council for the United Kingdom, police rent allowance is determined locally to reflect the cost of housing in each force 776W area, and the rates of allowance are reviewed biennially. Under these procedures, and in consultation with the Northern Ireland Police Federation, the rates payable to members of the RUC have recently been reviewed by the Police Authority, and revised rates have been agreed with effect from 1st April 1978.